What is Sciatica? Sciatica describes pain felt along the sciatic nerve, which runs from your lower back, down through the buttock, hamstrings and into the lower leg. The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in the body. The spinal sections it originates from include L4, L5 or S1. Sciatica is commonly misdiagnosed, which can result is either slow or non-responsive treatment. Leg pain can have various sources. It can be a local leg injury or it may even be referred from your lower back. The main nerve that travels from your lower back to your leg is your sciatic nerve. Irritation or pinching of your sciatic nerve can cause severe leg pain known as sciatica. A. While there are numerous causes of sciatica, the most common are: lumbar bulging disc spine degeneration facet joint injuries B. Other sources include: piriformis syndrome spinal stenosis spondylolisthesis sacroiliac dysfunction Sciatica Treatment : PHASE I - Pain Relief & Protection Managing your pain. Pain is the main reason that you seek treatment for sciatica. In truth, it was actually the final symptom that you developed and should be the first symptom to improve. Managing your inflammation. Inflammation is a normal part of your healing process post-injury. But, excessive inflammation can be the main cause of your sciatica. Please contact your physiotherapist doctor for their professional opinion. PHASE II - Restoring Normal Flexibility, Posture & Strength As your pain and inflammation settle, your physiotherapist will turn their attention to restoring your normal back joint range of motion and resting muscle tension, lower limb muscle flexibility and posture. Your physiotherapist will assess your muscle recruitment pattern and prescribe the best exercises for you specific to your needs. They may recommend that you undertake an laser guided exercise program where you can view your deep core muscle contractions on a monitor. Dr Paiwal's Spinal Concepts has developed a Back Pain Core Stabilisation Program to assist their sciatica patients to regain normal core muscle control. Other more advanced programs can include stability exercises. Please ask your physio for their advice. PHASE III - Restoring Full Function & Dynamic Control The next stage of your rehabilitation is aimed at safely returning you to your desired activities. Everyone has different demands will determine what specific treatment goals you need to achieve. Your physiotherapist is the best person to guide your rehabilitation. PHASE IV - Preventing a Recurrence Sciatica does have a tendency to return. The main reason it is thought to recur is due to insufficient rehabilitation. Fine-tuning your back mobility and core control and learning self-management techniques will ultimately help you to achieve your goal of safely returning to your previous sporting or leisure activities without sciatica. Exercise is like cleaning your teeth. Exercise prevents problems. We at Dr Paiwal's Physiotherapy Clinic follow the most advanced physiotherapy protocol to rehabilitate your spine back to normal. without pain and full range of motion of spine.